Chasing Starlight

Chapter Eight: Making It Official

TIME SKIP 

Y/N sat on the studio couch, nervously scrolling through her phone, pretending not to notice the way Martinus kept glancing at her. The music in the background was a soothing hum, but it did little to calm the fluttering in her chest. Ever since the kiss, the energy between them had been different—charged, but also full of uncertainty.

Martinus had invited her back to the studio tonight, saying he wanted her to hear something. But there was something in his voice that made her think there was more to it than just music.

He finished up a few notes on the keyboard, then turned, leaning against the instrument as his gaze settled on her. "You okay?"

Y/N smiled nervously. "Yeah, just waiting for this big reveal."

Martinus grinned, though there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "Well, you're about to get it."

He stood and walked over to her, sitting down next to her on the couch. His presence felt different tonight—more focused, more intense. She couldn't tell if it was the room, the music, or the unspoken emotions hanging between them, but something about this moment felt bigger than before.

"I wrote something," he started, his voice low but steady. "Something I've been working on for a while."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Another song?"

"Sort of," Martinus said, running a hand through his hair, clearly a little nervous himself. "But this one's different. It's personal."

He reached over to grab his guitar, settling it in his lap. His fingers moved over the strings, finding a soft, simple melody that filled the room. Y/N watched him closely, the tension between them thick as he began to sing softly, his voice carrying more emotion than she had ever heard before.

The song was about her. Every line, every word, spoke to what they had been through—the unspoken feelings, the nights spent together in the studio, the moments they had both pretended were nothing but had meant everything.

Y/N's heart swelled with each verse, realizing how deep his feelings for her went. The song wasn't just a confession; it was a promise.

When Martinus finished, he set the guitar aside and looked at her, his expression more serious than she had ever seen it. "I wrote that because I needed you to know how I feel," he said quietly.

Her breath caught, unsure of what to say. She had felt it too, but hearing him put it into words, into music, made everything so much more real.

"Martinus..." she began, but he gently took her hand, cutting her off.

"I've been holding back, trying to figure out if this thing between us is just in my head, or if it's something we can actually make real," he said, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. "But I can't pretend anymore. I don't want to keep you in the dark, Y/N. I don't want to hide what we have."

Her heart raced. She could feel the weight of what he was about to say, and suddenly, every moment they had shared—the late-night studio sessions, the way he looked at her, the kiss that had changed everything—flooded back.

"I want this to be real," Martinus continued, his eyes searching hers. "I want us to be real. I want to make this official."

Y/N's breath hitched. She had been waiting for this moment, but hearing him say it out loud was almost overwhelming. "Official?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yeah," he said, his voice steady now, no hesitation. "I want you to be my girlfriend. I don't want to hide how I feel anymore. I don't care if the world knows."

Her mind raced. Being with Martinus meant more than just being in a relationship—it meant being in the public eye, dealing with the pressures of his fame, and navigating a world she had never really been part of. But as she looked into his eyes, the sincerity and care shining through, she realized none of that mattered. What mattered was him. What mattered was them.

"I don't want to hide either," she said, her voice steady now.

A slow smile spread across Martinus' face, and in that moment, Y/N knew she had made the right choice. He pulled her into a soft, lingering kiss, his hands cupping her face gently, as if sealing their promise.

When they pulled apart, Martinus grinned, his eyes sparkling. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that."

Y/N laughed softly, her heart full and her mind racing. "I think I do."

Martinus stood up, still holding her hand, pulling her with him. "Come on," he said, his tone lighter now. "We're going to celebrate."

"Celebrate what?" Y/N asked, raising an eyebrow as she followed him toward the door.

"Us," he said with a grin. "Officially."

As they stepped out of the studio, Y/N felt lighter than she had in days. The uncertainty between them had dissolved, replaced by a feeling of excitement and certainty she hadn't realized she needed.

They were official. This was real. And for the first time, Y/N felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.